Coin handling means



April 16, 1963 w. w. HOWARD 3,085,378

COIN HANDLING MEANS Filed Sept. 21, 1960 Fig. 2

Fig. 4

William M. Howard INVENTOR.

BY 2mm WW 3m United States Patent 3,085,378 COIN HANDLING MEANS William W. Howard, 107 E. 4th St., Portageville, Mo. Filed Sept. 21, 1960, Ser- No. 57,565 7 Claims. (Cl. 53254) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in handling devices particularly, although not necessarily, for American minted coins of various denominations and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means whereby such coins of a given denomination, tokens, etc., may be rapidly and accurately counted.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide unique means for expeditiously wrapping or packaging the counted coins.

A further object of this invention is to provide a counter comprising a tube for receiving a predetermined number of coins of a given denomination for filling a standard tubular wrapper, wherein the exact number of coins in a partially filled tube and the sum or value thereof may be instantly determined.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide novel means for holding stacks of coins of various denominations whereby a small businessman, for example, may ascertain at a glance how much change he may have on hand.

Other objects of the invention are to provide coin counting and holding or storing means of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a coin counting tube or container embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical section therethrough, showing the device partially filled with coins;

FIGURE 3 is a view in vertical section through a filled counting tube with a cylindrical wrapper inserted therein preparatory to packaging the coins; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the coin holding or storing tubes or containers.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 5 designates a coin counting or counter tube in the form of a cylindrical container. The tube 5, which is of a suitable transparent or clear plastic, is of uniform diameter throughout and open at its top for the reception of coins of a given denomination, as indicated at 6. The tube 5 includes an integral bottom 7 having therein an optional vent 8. The tube 5 is veitically graduated as indicated at 9 to indicate at 10' the number of coins in said tube and, at 1-1, the sum or value thereof.

The tube 5 is of an inside diameter to facilitate the movement of the coins 6 therein. Also, of course, the tube 5 is of a capacity to fill a conventional tubular or cylindrical wrapper for coins of that denomination, as indicated at 12.

It is thought that the operation or use of the device as thus far described will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the coins 6 of the correct denomination are, of course, inserted in the tube 5 through the open top thereof. The tube 5 being transparent, the number of coins therein may be easily observed and ascertained through the medium of the graduations 9. The tube 5 is of a sufficiently larger inside diameter than the diameter of the coins 6 to permit the insertion of the cylindrical or tubular wrapper 12 therebetween.

3,085,378 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 "ice When the wrapper 12 is thus inserted a finger is inserted in the upper portion thereof and the tube 5 is inverted, the coins now being Supported in said wrapper by the finger. The tube 5 is then removed, leaving the coins in the wrapper 12. The stack of coins is then centered in the wrapper 12 and the end portions of said wrapper are closed in the usual manner.

In FIGURE 4 of the drawing, reference numeral 13 designates generally a holder or storage container for a stack of coins of a given denomination. The holder 13, in the embodiment shown, is inserted in a base 14 of suitable dimensions and material. Rising from the base 14 is a cylindrical container or inner tube 15 of a suitable transparent or clear plastic. The tube .15 is open at its upper end for receiving coins of the denomination for which said tube is intended, such as those indicated at 6 in FIGURE 2 of the drawing in the counting tube 5. The capacity of the tube 15 may be several times that of the respective counting tube. The tube 15 is graduated as indicated at 16 for permitting the user to quickly ascertain how much change the device contains. To facilitate transferring the coins from the tube 15 to the tube 5 preparatory to packaging said coins, said tube 15 is of a diameter to slip into said tube 5. If desired, a plurality of holding or storing tubes for coins of various denominations may be inserted in a single base.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A coin counting and packaging device including a coin holder comprising a base, an upstanding, transparent tube inserted in said base, said tube being open at its upper end for the reception of coins, said tube having graduations thereon indicating the number and value of the coins therein, and a transparent counting tube including a closed end and having its other end open for the reception of said coins, the first named tube having a capacity at least equal to that of the counting tube and having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of said counting tube and being telescopically engageable therein for transferring the coins thereto.

2. A coin counting and packaging device including a coin holder comprising a base, an upstanding, transparent coin tube fixed on said base, said storage tube being open at its upper end for the reception of coins of a given denomination, said storage tube having graduations thereon indicating the number and value of the coins therein, and a transparent coin counting tube including a closed end and having its other end open for the reception of said coins, said counting tube having a capacity less than the storage tube and being telescopically engageable thereon for receiving the coins therefrom, said counting tube having an inside diameter greater than the diameter of the coins for the insertion of a tubular wrapper therebetween.

3. A coin counting and packaging device comprising rigid, transparent, telescopic and communicating inner and outer tubes including closed outer ends and open at their inner ends for the reception of coins and for the transfer for said coins therebetween, said inner tube being longer and having a coin capacity greater than that of the outer tube, both of said tubes having indicia thereon for indicating the number and total value of coins therein.

4. A coin counting and packaging device comprising a rigid, transparent, cylindrical outer tube including a closed end and an open end, and a rigid, transparent, cylindrical inner tube, for the reception of coins and including a closed end and an open end, telescopically engageable in the outer tube for depositing the coins by gravity therein in spaced, concentric relation to the cylindrical Wall thereof for the insertion of a tubular coin wrapper therebetween. I

5. A coin counting and packaging device in accordance with claim 4, said inner tube having a coin capacity exceeding that of the outer tube.

6. A coin counting'and packaging device in accordance with claim 4, said tubes having indicia thereon for indicating the total value of coins therein.

7. A coin counting and packaging device in accordance with claim 4, said inner tube being longer than the outer tube and having a coin capacity greater than said outer tube, both of said tubes having indicia thereon for indicating the number and total value of coins therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,261 Mathewes May 29, 1932 2,444,804 Carruthers July 6, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 494,684 Great Britain Oct. 31, 1938 685,660 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1953 506,985 Italy Dec. 27, 1954 

3. A COIN COUNTING AND PACKAGING DEVICE COMPRISING RIGID, TRANSPARENT, TELESCOPIC AND COMMUNICATING INNER AND OUTER TUBES INCLUDING CLOSED OUTER ENDS AND OPEN AT THEIR INNER ENDS FOR THE RECEPTION OF COINS AND FOR THE TRANSFER FOR SAID COINS THEREBETWEEN, SAID INNER TUBE BEING LONGER AND HAVING A COIN CAPACITY GREATER THAN THAT 